27 Top Valentine's Day Desserts​ From Hearty To Healthy

When it comes to Valentine's Day desserts, the options can feel a little overwhelming: do you go classic with chocolate-covered strawberries or try something fancy like macarons? The good news is, you don't have to choose just one, and you definitely don't need to be a pastry chef to pull off something impressive. Whether you're planning a romantic dinner for two, hosting a Galentine's brunch with friends or prepping treats for a school bake sale, this guide has you covered with everything from easy Valentine's Day desserts to healthier options and even no-bake treats.

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• Simple & Easy Valentine's Day Desserts
• Valentine's Day Bake Sale Ideas
• Non-chocolate Desserts For Valentine's Day
• Healthy Valentine's Day Desserts
• Make Desserts With The Pros

Simple & Easy Valentine's Day Desserts

Not everyone has hours to spend in the kitchen, especially on Valentine’s Day, and that's totally okay. These easy Valentine's Day desserts use simple ingredients, come together quickly and still look fabulous.

1. Strawberry Brownies

We all know strawberries are the quintessential fruit of Valentine's Day, and this easy recipe makes beautiful use of them. All you do is make some cake mix with added pink food coloring, bake it, then top it with homemade strawberry icing with freeze-dried strawberries on top for even more flavor. You can omit the coloring and go for classic choclately brown, too. 

2. Strawberries 'n Cream Chocolate Truffles

This Valentine’s Day, surprise your lover with something truly sweet: strawberries and cream chocolate truffles. These truffles are not only delicious but also need just a few ingredients, including white chocolate and strawberries-infused cream for the ganache. Once rolled out, the truffles are dipped in more creamy white chocolate, then topped with a strawberry for that extra special touch.

3. Sweet Heart Cupcakes

Sweetheart cupcakes are super easy to make. Just bake some chocolate cupcakes using your favorite recipe or even box mix, and fill them with a pink strawberry-flavored ganache and a sprinkling of icing sugar.

4. Valentine’s Love Pastries

Make cute little Valentine's Day puff pastry treats by using a cookie cutter to shape them into hearts, then fill the center with cream cheese and top with a beautifully cut strawberry half. Make sure to sprinkle some white sugar on top before placing it into the oven so that it caramelizes nicely as it’s baking, and add powdered sugar for extra sweetness after taking it out. Instead of the strawberry, you can place anything in the center, like baked apples and cinnamon. 

5. Raspberry crush cocktail

Crush raspberries with some lemon juice and sugar, add a shot of vodka and ice and voila! You’ve got a refreshing and delicious Valentine’s Day beverage that looks and tastes the part. Top it with soda water and garnish with strawberries for that Valentine’s Day panache.

6. Eton mess

Eton mess is a dessert that’s usually associated with the summer, but you can adapt it for Valentine’s Day because it looks like it was made for this holiday. It’s sweet and creamy, but it’s also light and fresh because, after all, you don’t want to be weighed down by a stodgy dessert on your date night. Making your own meringue is optional but highly recommended. Just crush them up with your hands and mix with whipped cream and lots of chopped strawberries.

7. Chocolate Lava Cake

There's something really special about cutting into a warm chocolate cake and watching that melted chocolate center pour out. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side and maybe some fresh berries, and you've got yourself a restaurant-quality dessert at home. The timing can be a little tricky to get that gooey center just right, but it's worth it when you see the look on someone's face.

8. Salted Almond Chocolate Truffles (Paleo & Vegan)

These chocolate truffles are one of those simple Valentine's Day desserts that look fancy but are actually pretty easy to make. They've got smooth chocolate on the inside, crunchy toasted almonds mixed in and a little sprinkle of sea salt on top. The nice thing is they're both vegan and Paleo, so just about anyone can enjoy them. Make a batch for your Valentine or put them in a pretty box as a Valentine’s Day gift.

9. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Chocolate-dipped strawberries are easy to make and always feel a little luxurious. Just pick up some good chocolate and melt it in a bowl. After dipping away, dress them up with some chopped nuts or colorful sprinkles. If you like, you can add these Valentine's Day desserts​ to a nice Valentine’s themed gift box for your loved one.

10. Raspberry Mousse Cups

If you want something that feels light and pretty, raspberry mousse is a great choice. It's fluffy and not too heavy, with that nice tangy raspberry flavor that balances out the sweetness. Serve it in small cups or glasses to make it look extra nice and top it with some white chocolate shavings or fresh berries.

11. Champagne Chocolate Truffles

These champagne-infused truffles are for when you really want to go all out. They're smooth and rich, with just a hint of champagne that makes them taste extra special. You can serve them after dinner or wrap them up in a pretty box as a gift.

Valentine's Day Bake Sale Ideas

Whether you're raising funds for a good cause or just want to share some sweetness with your community, having these Valentine's Day bake sale ideas on hand can make all the difference. These treats are easy to make in batches, transport well and most importantly, they sell themselves.

12. Strawberry Cheesecake

Valentine's Day desserts don’t get more classic than a strawberry cheesecake. This one has a buttery graham cracker crust on the bottom, a smooth, creamy filling in the middle, and fresh strawberries with a shiny glaze on top. The tanginess from the cream cheese works really well with the sweet strawberries, and if you want to make it extra special, add a drizzle of melted dark chocolate or a dollop of whipped cream before serving.

13. Chocolate Mendiants

Need something quick for your Valentine's Day bake sale ideas? These little chocolate discs are perfect when you're short on time. All you need is some melted chocolate and whatever toppings you have around: nuts, dried fruit, sprinkles, whatever looks good. Just pour little circles of chocolate onto parchment paper, sprinkle your toppings on top and let them set.

14. Pretzel Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

These cookie bars have that great salty-sweet thing going on. The peanut butter base is loaded with pretzels, which add a nice crunch and a bit of surprise. Just make sure to cut them into small squares because they're pretty rich. One little piece is usually enough to satisfy that sweet tooth.

15. Air Fryer Donuts

Donuts might just be better than flowers, and these are especially great because they're made in the air fryer, which means no messy oil to deal with. Even better, they use store-bought puff pastry, so you skip the whole homemade dough situation.

16. Neapolitan Cookies

Why pick between vanilla, chocolate and strawberry when you can have all three? To make these, you simply mix up basic dough, divide it into three parts, color one with cocoa powder and another with freeze-dried strawberries, then stack them and chill. When you slice them, you get those beautiful three-color cookies that people will think took you forever.

17. Flourless Chocolate-Walnut Cookies

These cookies don't use any flour at all, and they're actually better for it. They come out super fudgy and chocolatey, kind of like a brownie in cookie form. They're naturally gluten-free too, which is a bonus.

Non-chocolate Desserts For Valentine's Day

While Valentine's Day is unofficially chocolate day, this sweet confection isn't everyone's cup of tea, which is where these non-chocolate Valentine's Day desserts come in.

18. Homemade Marshmallows

If someone asks, "What's the most romantic dessert?" homemade marshmallows might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but making these from scratch for someone is pretty special. They literally melt in your mouth and are perfect for dropping into hot chocolate, making s'mores or just eating straight up.

19. No-Bake Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Bars

These strawberry shortcake bars are a great option for non-chocolate Valentine's Day desserts. They're made with a cashew base that makes them super creamy, and they taste just like the classic strawberry shortcake you remember.

20. Strawberry Pinwheel Cookies

To make these, simply start with one basic cookie dough, then mix freeze-dried strawberry powder into half of it to make it pink. Stack the two colors together, roll it into a log, chill it and slice. When you bake them, you get these beautiful spiral Valentine's Day cookies, perfect non-chocolate desserts for the holiday.

21. Macarons

For a lot of people, macarons are one of the most romantic Valentine’s Day desserts you can serve. They look elegant on a dessert table, and if you package them up in a nice box, they make a really thoughtful gift. Of course, these delicate French cookies are made with almond flour, so they’re gluten-free and they come in all sorts of flavors, from raspberry, lemon and pistachio, to vanilla and champagne.

22. Raspberry Blondies

Blondies are like brownies' lighter, sweeter cousin and these raspberry ones are packed with fresh berry flavor. They're soft and chewy, made with cashew butter and coconut flour, so they're gluten-free and Paleo-friendly, too.

Healthy Valentine's Day Desserts

If you're looking for Valentine’s Day ideas that let you indulge without overdoing it, these Valentine’s Day desserts are where it's at. They use better-for-you ingredients like almond flour, coconut yogurt and fresh fruit, but they still taste just as good as the traditional versions.

23. Baked Vegan Cheesecake

Did you know you can actually make vegan cheesecake with a gluten-free, paleo-friendly crust and a creamy filling made with coconut yogurt and cashews? It tastes just like regular cheesecake, and we’re pretty sure no one will guess it's vegan unless you tell them.

24. Gluten-Free Strawberry Brownies with Chocolate Frosting

For a gluten-free treat, these strawberry brownies are made with almond flour, which makes them ideal for those on an alternative diet. You bake them in a small 8x8 pan, top them with fresh-diced strawberries, and then add a simple layer of chocolate icing. What’s more, the strawberries add a nice fresh touch to the rich chocolate, so they’re lighter than your typical brownie.

25. Sea-Salted Nut Butter Cups

Why buy Valentine's Day candy from the store when you can make your own with just four ingredients? These homemade nut butter cups use a ripe banana, your favorite nut butter, some good bittersweet chocolate and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. They're really easy to put together and taste way better than the packaged stuff. Plus, you can feel good about what's actually in them.

26. Chocolate Strawberry Galette

A galette is basically a rustic, free-form pie, and this one has fresh strawberries and dark chocolate chunks folded into a flaky, gluten-free crust. It's pretty simple to throw together, and you don't need to worry about making it look perfect since the rough, homemade look is part of the charm. It's a nice option when you’re looking for Valentine's Day desserts​ that feel special but don't require a ton of fussing.

27. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

If you're the type who likes to sneak spoonfuls of cookie dough straight from the bowl, these bites were made for you. They come together in about five minutes and taste just like cookie dough, but are totally safe to eat. Keep a batch in the fridge for whenever the craving hits. Why are they healthier? Because oats add beneficial fiber (soluble fiber, beta-glucans) for heart and blood sugar health, plus minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium, making them more nutrient-dense, though overall health depends on the recipe's sugar, fat and processing.  

Make Desserts With The Pros

Want to really impress with your Valentine's Day desserts? Try learning from the pros through cooking classes with Classpop! These hands-on classes connect you with experienced chefs who'll walk you through each step, share their secrets and make the whole thing way less intimidating. You can join a fun group class and learn alongside other people or keep it more intimate with an online cooking class shared with your beau for a unique Valentine’s Day date. Whichever option you pick, you'll leave with real skills you can use long after Valentine's Day is over. Plus, you get to eat what you make, which is always a win. Check out what's available near you and turn your kitchen into the most romantic spot in town.

One of the first things some of us do on V-day is search: What are the best desserts for Valentine's Day? If that sounds like you, let this guide take some of the guesswork out of deciding what to serve and enjoy with your loved ones this year. The best part about these Valentine’s Day desserts is that they work for all types of events and gatherings, including Galentine’s, which often includes a spread of brunch snacks and treats. Plus, there are healthy alternatives and unique bake sale options for the kids, too.

For more fun ideas for Valentine's Day, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!